February 8th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: Playadura* A recent interview in GOLF MAGAZINE with Michelle Wie was very telling. I have read many interviews but rarely have I been so unimpressed with the kind of answers Wie gave.
Wie is not a kid but her answers were childlike and standoffish at best. The phrase “I can’t remember” dominated the interview. When referring to a wrist injury, she was asked “what was the lowest point?” her answer: “I don’t remember.” When asked what she meant she said, “I don’t remember a lot from that time.”
This is supposed to be the next Annika Sorenstam, say most golf pundits? Don’t count on it, she’s won only one tournament in six years and in my estimation, she’s a flat tire, when it comes to her golf game !
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February 8th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: matsubokkuri It’s never a good idea to practice in windy conditions, especially when the wind is blowing at your back.
For right-handers, when the wind is blowing at your back from left to right, the tendency is to swing over the top of the ball (outside in). This is to compensate for the wind direction, however, it creates a slice/pull swing. When the wind is blowing from right to left just opposite is true. The golfer will swing too much on the inside created a hook/push swing path (inside out).
Practicing with the wind in your face isn’t helpful either because of the tendency to punch the ball without taking a full swing. The best rule of thumb is to practice on windless days.
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February 6th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: D.Hilgart “I can’t take the slightest bit of credit for Jack Nicklaus, but he is the greatest player in history. Most anybody would have said the young Nicklaus couldn’t have played well with that right elbow flying up the way it does. But he moves it back to his side as he starts down. And they’d say you can’t play well lifting your left heel as much as he does, but they would be wrong. He doesn’t lift it any more than Bobby Jones did. Lifting the heel gives him a good turn and a comfortable position at the top.”
“At PGA School, Byron (Nelson) and I thought Nicklaus stood out head and shoulders above the fifty players in the school.”
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February 6th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: mahalie A beginners first lesson is always a tense experience. Knowing that very educated eyes are watching is enough to rattle even an experienced professional. Most ordinary teachers don’t even consider how nervous a beginner may be during their first lesson.
Before the lesson begins, a truly good instructor will spend at least fifteen to twenty minutes, with the new student, talking quietly somewhere other than on the practice range. There are two reasons: 1) The instructor needs to know what direction the student wants to take. 2) It gives the instructor the opportunity to get the student to relax.
The wise instructor knows that unless their student is relaxed, nothing may be accomplished during the lesson period. He also knows what he has to do to meet the goals the student has set.
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February 5th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: rioncm If you have trouble shanking the ball, the following may help:
1) Try to hit every shot on the toe of the club until you stop shanking. 2) Never aim to the left, you would do well to think you are aimed to the right. 3) Get the feeling that the toe of the club is rolling over. 4) Place a tee about one inch outside of the ball lined up at the target. Hit the ball without hitting the tee.
Many think that a closed blade causes a shank shot. The causes could be: 1) standing too close, or far from the ball. 2) the ball may be too far forward. 3) the left arm could be bent at impact.
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February 5th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
Do you know exactly where your your clubface is striking the ball? Many players are happy just to make good contact but in order to be consistent, you need to strike the ball in the same spot on the clubface.
You can purchase impact tape that is placed on the clubface. When the ball is struck a mark will be left where the contact with the ball was made.
If you cannot find the tape you can purchase talcum powder. Powder the golf ball with the Talcum. When the ball is struck there will be a distinct mark left on the place of impact. Once you locate the impact point you can make the necessary adjustments. Solid shots come from hitting the clubface directly in the center.
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February 5th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: rioncm The slow motion drill can be done in your own home. It requires patience but it’s worth the effort.
The drill should be done in super slow motion. 1) Swing the club very slowly to the top of the backswing while keeping your eye on a target (blade of grass or pattern on a carpet) which represents the ball. As you reach the top, your left heel should be off the ground. 2) Replace your left heel on the ground, at the same time bring your right elbow in close to your body. Do this in super slow motion. 3) Bring the club 1/3 the way down and stop and just hold the club, feel it. 4) Now start from your holding position and go to the top. Do four repetitions per day.
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February 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: endbradley When you reach the top of your backswing and start back down to the ball by throwing your hands at the ball, you are “hitting from the top.” Hitting from the top causes your hands to get outside the swing-path on the way down. For amateur golfers it’s disastrous.
Corrective techniques: 1) Try to strike the ball on the toe of the club. 2) Strengthen the grip (roll the hands more to the right). 3) Rotate the left forearm going back. 4) On the way down rotate the left arm and hand to the left.
The purpose is to draw the ball from right to left, to do so you have to swing the club from the inside which should cure hitting from the top.
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February 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: El Struthio The word “choke” is a word that is commonly used on and off the golf course. It can be used to describe a poorly executed shot or to describe a person that just can’t win, a “choker.”
Fans and fellow golfers alike, referred to Greg Norman as a “choker” because of his uncanny ability to lose golf tournaments that he should have won. The word stuck and Norman never lived up to his true potential for greatness.
Take the word “choke” out of your vocabulary, it’s just too negative and tends to stigmatize. Always try to use positive words, not only during a game of golf but in every day life. It will make a positive difference in both !
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February 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: nsaplayer In golf there is a difference between being confident and being optimistic. Since golf is such a “mind” game, it’s important to make the distinction between the two. Both characteristics are essential for players.
Confidence is when you know you can hit the shot because you have practiced and/or hit the shot so many times before. Having confidence means that you know you can execute a successful golf shot.
Optimism is a form of positive speculation, you may have never faced the situation (shot) before but you believe you can execute a successful shot.
Remove all negative thoughts from your mind during every round. Maintain confidence and optimism and a “can do” attitude to lower your scores.
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